OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section tells you which agency holds those records and links you straight to the official source — not a third-party aggregator.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case dockets from Alabama's trial and appellate courts
🔍 Arrest records held by sheriffs' offices and police departments
📋 Background checks through ALEA
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • Approximate date or location of the record

How Records Work in Alabama

Three agencies handle most of what people come looking for. The state judiciary, under the Supreme Court of Alabama, keeps court records. Statewide criminal history — arrests, convictions, disposition data — runs through ALEA. Individual arrest reports stay with whichever agency made the arrest unless that agency forwards the record to the state repository.

Local records live at the county level. Alabama has 67 counties, each with its own circuit clerk, probate judge, and sheriff maintaining separate files. A lot of record searching online is free, but certified copies, older records, and official background checks usually mean a fee, an in-person visit, or both.

Counties in Alabama

Alabama has 67 counties. Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. Some require a written request, an in-person visit, a fee, or all three. Court records and arrest data can be incomplete, delayed, or not yet entered into the digital systems — especially for older cases or smaller jurisdictions. When in doubt, call the agency directly.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026